Google Stops Selling the Pixel 2 and 2 XL
Today is the end of the line for Google’s 2017 flagship smartphones. The Pixel 2 and 2 XL are no longer available for purchase on the Google Store. Those device listings instead redirect to the current Pixel 3 and 3 XL devices. You can still purchase the phones elsewhere if you really want, but you shouldn’t.
The Pixel 2 and 2 XL launched in October 2017, marking a departure from the first-generation Pixels. The 2016 Pixels looked identical other than the sizes, but the 2 and 2 XL were completely different devices. HTC manufactured the smaller of the 2017 Pixels, and LG took care of the larger one. The 5-inch Pixel 2 used a Samsung OLED in the traditional 16:9 ratio and the 2 XL had a 6-inch 18:9 LG OLED panel.
In 2017, LG was just starting up its mobile OLED production again, and its first run of panels had issues compared with Samsung’s technology. The 2 XL suffered from color casting at off-angles, and the colors weren’t as vibrant. Google later rolled out a software update that let users increase the color saturation to compensate.
Despite numerous improvements in newer phones, the recently deceased Pixels are still some of the best phones out there for photography. The single 12MP camera is all they need to take incredible photos thanks to Google’s borderline-magical HDR+ photo processing.
The Pixel 2 launched at $650 and the 2 XL was $850. Google dropped the prices by several hundred dollars after the Pixel 3 and 3 XL launched, but now they’re gone completely. Verizon was the exclusive carrier partner for the 2017 Pixels (as well as all the others), and it stopped selling the smaller phone as soon as Google unveiled the new phones. It’s still selling the Pixel 2 XL, but it wants the full retail cost of $850. That’s definitely not a good deal anymore.
The current third-generation Pixels are only six months old, but rumors are already beginning to percolate about their successors. Reports claim the phones will finally make the jump to dual cameras, and they will use Samsung-style punch-hole displays. Whatever those phones end up being, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will probably last a few months beyond the launch, and then they’ll disappear around this time next year.
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